Have you ever been in a conversation and heard someone say they were going to “bite the bullet” or that a task was a “piece of cake”? Welcome to the wonderful and confusing world of American idioms. For someone new to American English, they can be a significant communication barrier. But once you understand idioms that are used in everyday life, they can be a key to connection and building friendships.
At Remitly, we’re dedicated to helping you thrive in your new home. In this immigrants’ guide to American idioms, we’ll break down meanings, provide practical examples, and offer tips to help you start using these expressions naturally.
What are idioms and why do they matter?
Before we dive into examples, let’s look at what idioms are and why they are so important for anyone learning American English.
An idiom is a commonly known phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the ordinary meanings of its individual words. For example, “spill the beans” has nothing to do with actual beans; it means to reveal a secret. Idioms are a form of figurative language that makes conversation more colorful and expressive.
A window into American culture
Idioms often reflect the history, values, and shared experiences of a culture. They are shortcuts for complex ideas and emotions. Understanding them allows you to better appreciate American humor, storytelling, and the informal ways people express empathy, frustration, or excitement.
Beyond giving you a deeper understanding of the people and the culture, adding common American idioms to your vocabulary is one of the fastest ways to sound more like a native speaker. It shows you have a deeper understanding of the language, beyond textbook definitions. When you use an idiom correctly, it signals a high level of fluency and helps you fit more comfortably into casual conversations.
How to learn and use idioms
The best way to pick up idioms is by listening to them being used in real conversations. When you’re watching American movies or TV shows, listening to podcasts, or chatting with friends, listen carefully for phrases that don’t make literal sense. Note them down and look them up later.
When it comes to learning new phrases, don’t just memorize the definition. Pay attention to how the idiom is used. Who said it? What was the situation? Was it a formal or informal setting? Understanding the context is key to using the idiom correctly yourself.
Start small: practice one at a time
Don’t try to learn 50 idioms at once. Pick one or two that you like from the list below. For the next week, make a conscious effort to use them in a low-stakes conversation, perhaps with a friend or a language exchange partner. Once you feel comfortable with those, pick a new one.
Common American idioms explained
Let’s look at some of the most common American idioms, broken down by theme. We’ll provide examples, too, so you can feel more confident about how they’re used.
Everyday conversation idioms
Below is a list of useful idioms for immigrants to learn—phrases you might hear among friends, at a store, or in any casual setting.
- Bite the bullet: To decide to do something difficult or unpleasant that you have been putting off. Example: I hate going to the dentist, but I have a toothache, so I just have to bite the bullet and make an appointment.
- Break the ice: To say or do something to relieve tension or get conversation going in an uncomfortable situation or when people are meeting for the first time. Example: He told a funny story to break the ice at the start of the meeting.
- A piece of cake: Something that is very easy to do. Example: I was worried about the driving test, but it was a piece of cake.
- Spill the beans: To reveal secret information. Example: We were trying to plan a surprise party for Maria, but her brother spilled the beans.
- Under the weather: To feel ill or sick. Example: I don’t think I’ll go to the party tonight; I’m feeling a bit under the weather.
- Get cold feet: To suddenly become too frightened to do something you had planned to do, especially something important like getting married. Example: He was going to ask his boss for a raise, but he got cold feet at the last minute.
Idioms for the workplace
These expressions are freq
uently used in professional settings, from office meetings to emails.
- Burning the midnight oil: To work late into the night. Example: We have a big project deadline on Friday, so the whole team has been burning the midnight oil.
- Get someone up to speed: To give someone all the latest information about a situation. Example: Welcome to the team! Let me take a few minutes to get you up to speed on our current progress.
- Hit the ground running: To start something and proceed at a fast pace with great enthusiasm. Example: Our new marketing manager has some great ideas and has really hit the ground running.
- Put something on the back burner: To temporarily set aside a project or task, usually to focus on something more urgent. Example: We’ll have to put the website redesign on the back burner until after the product launch.
- Learn the ropes: To learn the basics of a new job or task. Example: It took me a few weeks to learn the ropes, but now I feel comfortable in my new role.
- Think outside the box: To think creatively and unconventionally to find new solutions. Example: Our old marketing strategies aren’t working. We need a team that can think outside the box.
Idioms about money
Money is a common topic, and American English is full of idioms to describe it.
- A penny for your thoughts: A way of asking what someone is thinking about. Example: You’ve been quiet for a while. A penny for your thoughts?
- Cost an arm and a leg: To be extremely expensive. Example: I’d love to buy that car, but I’m sure it costs an arm and a leg.
- Nest egg: A sum of money saved for the future, typically for retirement. Example: They’ve been carefully building their nest egg so they can travel when they retire.
- Bread and butter: A person’s main source of income; the job that supports them financially. Example: I do freelance photography for fun, but my job as a graphic designer is my bread and butter.
- Make ends meet: To have just enough money to pay for the things you need. Example: With rising prices, it’s becoming harder for many families to make ends meet.
- On the house: Free of charge; given by a business as a gift. Example: Because we had to wait so long for our table, the manager said our desserts were on the house.
Idioms for friendship and relationships
These idioms help express the nuances of personal connections.
- Through thick and thin: Through good times and bad times. Example: They’ve been best friends for over 20 years and have stuck together through thick and thin.
- See eye to eye: To agree with someone completely. Example: My sister and I have different political views; we rarely see eye to eye on the subject.
- On the same page: To be in agreement or have the same understanding of a situation. Example: Before we present this to the client, let’s have a quick meeting to make sure we’re all on the same page.
- Hit it off: To quickly become good friends with someone. Example: I introduced my cousin to my best friend, and they hit it off immediately.
- A shoulder to cry on: Someone who is willing to listen to your problems and offer sympathy and support. Example: After he lost his job, he was so grateful to have his wife as a shoulder to cry on.
Cultural tips for using idioms effectively
As you get more comfortable with the meanings and use of common idioms, keep these cultural tips in mind to ensure that you use them appropriately.
Read the room: formal vs. informal
Most idioms are best suited for informal, conversational English. While some, like “on the same page,” are common in business, others, like “spill the beans,” might sound too casual for a formal report or a presentation to senior leadership. Always consider your audience.
Avoid overusing them
Sprinkling a few idioms into your conversation can make you sound natural. Using too many can have the opposite effect, making your speech sound unnatural or forced. Use them where they fit, but don’t feel pressured to include one in every sentence.
When in doubt, ask!
Native speakers know idioms can be confusing. If you think you understand an idiom but aren’t 100% sure, it’s perfectly fine to ask for clarification. You could say, “That’s an interesting phrase. Does ‘bite the bullet’ mean I have to do something difficult?” People will almost always be happy to explain.
Speaking like a local
Mastering common American idioms is a journey, not a destination. It’s a process of listening, learning, and bravely trying out new phrases. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; every English speaker, native or not, has misused a word or phrase at some point. Each idiom you learn is another key that unlocks a deeper layer of American culture and communication.
We encourage you to start small. Pick one or two idioms from this guide and practice them this week. You might be surprised at how much more connected you feel in your next conversation.
FAQs
Are idioms essential to learn for non-native speakers?
They are not mandatory for basic communication. You can speak clear, correct English without them. However, if your goal is to achieve a high level of fluency, understand cultural humor, and connect more deeply with native speakers, then learning idioms is incredibly beneficial. They bridge the gap between “textbook” English and how people really talk.
How can I remember idioms more easily?
Try to associate the idiom with a mental image, even a funny one. For “spill the beans,” you could picture someone literally tipping over a can of beans with secrets flying out. Repetition is also key. Try writing the idiom and its meaning down, and then create your own example sentence.
Can idioms be used in professional settings?
Yes, many can be. Business English is full of idioms like “hit the ground running,” “learn the ropes,” and “get up to speed.” The key is to stick to well-known, professional idioms and to ensure they match the tone and context of the conversation.
What’s the difference between an idiom and a proverb?
This is a great question. An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is not obvious from the individual words (e.g., “kick the bucket”). A proverb is a short, well-known saying that gives advice or states a general truth (e.g., “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”). The meaning of a proverb is usually quite literal.